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Barcelona Centenary Shops Tour

Travel back in time and discover Barcelona through its legendary centenary shops. From family-run artisan workshops to historic cafés and traditional stores, experience the city’s living heritage where every doorway tells a story.

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The colourful modernista mosaic and stained-glass shopfront of the Antiga Casa Figueras on La RamblaBarcelona in Context · 1 / 8

The green wooden shopfront of Casa Gispert, “Mestres Torradors” — The colourful modernista mosaic and stained-glass shopfront of the Antiga Casa Figueras on La RamblaBarcelona in Context · 1 / 8

Duration: 3 h
Location: Barcelona
Includes: Official Guide of Catalonia (private, about 3 hours) · Fully customised itinerary

Step into the heart of Barcelona’s commercial history on this charming walking tour through the city’s centenary shops, where tradition, craftsmanship and family heritage have been preserved for generations.

Far more than ordinary businesses, these historic establishments are living landmarks that have survived wars, industrialisation and the transformation of Barcelona into a modern metropolis. Many continue to be run by the same families or faithfully preserve their original character, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the city’s past.

Visit the renowned Casa Gispert, Barcelona’s oldest food store, where coffee, nuts and spices have been roasted using the original 19th-century wood-fired oven since 1851. Discover the elegant Casa Amatller, an extraordinary Modernist residence whose historic chocolate shop continues the family’s sweet tradition.

Continue to the beloved La Colmena, one of Barcelona’s oldest confectioneries, famous for its handcrafted sweets and traditional Catalan pastries. At Cereria Subirà, established in 1761, admire the city’s oldest candle shop, where handcrafted candles have illuminated homes, churches and celebrations for over 250 years.

Learn the fascinating story of La Manual Alpargatera, the iconic workshop that helped transform the humble espadrille into an international fashion symbol, worn by artists, royalty and leading designers. Visit Ganiveteria Roca, Barcelona’s historic cutlery shop, where exceptional craftsmanship has been passed down through generations.

The tour also includes Sala Parés, the city’s oldest art gallery, founded in 1840. Here you’ll discover how this cultural institution has showcased some of Catalonia’s most celebrated artists and continues to play an important role in Barcelona’s artistic life.

As you stroll through the atmospheric streets of the Old Town, your guide will share stories of merchants, artisans and local traditions, revealing how these remarkable businesses have shaped Barcelona’s identity for centuries.

Perfect for travellers seeking authentic experiences, this tour offers a unique journey into Barcelona’s living history—where craftsmanship, gastronomy, art and tradition continue to thrive behind beautifully preserved shopfronts that have welcomed generations of Barcelonians.

Casa Gispert, Barcelona’s oldest food store, roasting since 1851
Cereria Subirà, the city’s oldest shop, a candle-maker since 1761
The chocolatier Casa Amatller and the confectionery La Colmena
La Manual Alpargatera espadrilles and the cutler Ganiveteria Roca
Sala Parés, Barcelona’s oldest art gallery, founded 1840

Questions, answered

What are Barcelona’s centenary shops?

They are historic businesses that have traded for a hundred years or more — food stores, confectioners, candle-makers, cutlers and craft workshops, many still run by the founding families and many officially recognised as emblematic establishments of the city. They are among the last places to see Barcelona’s old commercial life still working.

Do we go inside the shops, and can we buy things?

Yes. These are working shops, and your guide takes you inside wherever the owners welcome visitors, to see the interiors, the trade and the craft. You are free to buy — a bag of Casa Gispert nuts, a candle from Cereria Subirà — but nothing is obligatory; the walk works just as well as pure storytelling.

Are all the shops open every day?

No — they are independent businesses, each with its own hours and closing days, and some shut on Sundays or Mondays. That is exactly why the tour is private: once we know your date, your guide plans the route around the shops that will be open, so you never arrive at a shutter.

Can we combine this with a food or Old Town tour?

Easily. The centenary shops sit among the same streets as our Born and markets walks, so the tour pairs naturally with a Boqueria and foodie route or a wider Old Town itinerary. Tell us your interests and we build the day around them.